Why should my daughter join the Girl Scouts?
What do Girl Scouts do?
How much time is involved?
Will my daughter be required to sell cookies?
Do I have to be a leader for my daughter to be a Girl Scout?
Who is leading my daughter's troop? Will my daughter be safe?
What is the Girl Scout Council?
When does the troop meet?
When do troop meetings start?
How much are troop dues?
Are girls required to wear uniforms?
What can I purchase at the Girl Scout Council Store?
How can I get financial assistance?
How do we sign up for Girl Scouts?
Who can become a Girl Scout?
What are the different levels of Girl Scouting?
How much does Girl Scouting cost?
What do Girl Scouts do?
Are troops the only way to participate in Girl Scouts?
Where do Girl Scout activities take place?
Are Girl Scout activities safe?
What volunteer opportunities are available?
Are only parents and guardians allowed to volunteer?
Are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts the same organization?
Can Girl Scouts have boys and men in their program since Boy Scouts have girls in their program?
My daughter was never a Girl Scout before- when is she too old to join?
How many badges does my daughter have to earn to stay in Girl Scouting?
Where do I go, or who do I call if I have a problem?
Q. Why should my daughter join the Girl Scouts?
A. Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's pre-eminent organization dedicated solely to all girls. In an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, Girl Scouts cultivate their full individual potential. The qualities they develop in Girl Scouting including leadership, values, social conscience, and conviction about their own self-worth will serve them all their lives.
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Q. What do Girl Scouts do?
A. Girl Scouts share with other girls in learning the Girl Scout program. This program teaches girls about patriotism, honesty, courage and other values (Girl Scout Promise, Girl Scout Law). Girl Scouts help build character, a sense of belonging, and friendships that last a lifetime. Girl Scouts participate in varied, age-appropriate activities such as community service projects, crafts, and camping, while working to build a sense of personal accomplishment and growth. Of course, they have fun while doing all this! It is a unique opportunity for girls to explore while learning about themselves and others. Many successful adults credit their Girl Scout experience as contributing in a major way to their accomplishments. Girl Scouting is truly an experience unlike any other. Back to Top
Q. How much time is involved?
A. Usually troops meet for an hour or two, from once a week to possibly once a month. Many troops meet every other week. Occasional troop activities may involve longer time commitments, such as field trips, camp outs, etc. Back to Top
Q. Will my daughter be required to sell cookies?
A. Participating in the Girl Scout cookie activity is voluntary. We never want girls to be pressured to sell cookies, and we want girls to spend most of their time benefiting from the Girl Scout program. However, proceeds from the sale fund troop and council wide activities, provide financial assistance to girls and support volunteer recruitment and training and the maintenance of the council’s three properties. Most troops find the Girl Scout cookie sale the ideal fund-raising opportunity. Further, Girl Scouts who participate in the sale take away a variety of skills, including goal-setting, marketing and sales, basic accounting, communication and money management. Note: Daisy Girl Scouts do not participate in the cookie sale. Back to Top
Q. Do I have to be a leader for my daughter to be a Girl Scout?
A. Troops cannot exist without adequate, trained adult volunteer support. While parents are not required to serve as troop leaders, parents are encouraged to support the Troop Committee. Every troop has a committee, so that all parents share in the responsibilities. Back to Top
Q. Who is leading my daughter's troop? Will my daughter be safe?
A. Troop leaders are well-trained individuals who have committed a significant amount of time and energy to become troop leaders. They often have daughters of their own in their troops, and they most likely are parents of your daughter's friends. They are appointed on a yearly basis after completing training, both general and specific, for the age of girls they are leading. They are required to follow stringent rules governing safety/supervision issues and they have all passed a criminal background check. Of course, parents are encouraged to register and participate with the troop in its activities. Back to Top
Q. What is the Girl Scout Council?
A. The Girl Scout Council is chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) to provide program to girls. The charge of the Girl Scout staff is to ensure that Girl Scouting is available in 37 counties, by working in partnership with volunteers who are more than 3,000 strong. Click here for more information about the Girl Scout Office, including hours and location.
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Q. When does the troop meet?
A. Troops meet after school, in the early evening, or weekends. The leader sets the day, time, and place of the meeting. She will contact you with that information when your daughter is placed. Back to Top
Q. When do troop meetings start?
A. The Girl Scout membership year is from October - September, so most troops start meeting in September, October and November. Troops, however, can start meeting anytime during the membership year. Back to Top
Q. How much are troop dues?
A. The dues vary from troop to troop. The typical range is from $.50 to $1.00 per meeting. However, some troops request an activity fee in place of dues. That activity fee generally ranges from $10.00 to $25.00. Back to Top
Q. Are girls required to wear uniforms?
A. Volunteers, girls, and families decide together what is appropriate. Many girls do choose to purchase a sash or vest to display recognitions, and some members opt for a full uniform. However, uniforms are not required in Girl Scouting. A girl is considered to be "in uniform" when she wears her Girl Scout membership pin. Many troops have an informal uniform which they create themselves, such as a troop T-Shirt or sweatshirt. Back to Top
Q. What can I purchase at the Girl Scout Council Store?
A. The Girl Scout Council Store carries items such as uniforms, books, badges, pins, troop numbers, T-shirts and other Girl Scout merchandise.
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Q. How can I get financial assistance?
A. Girl Scouting is open to all girls and adults regradless of ability to pay. Financial assistance is available for almost any need in Girl Scouting and requests are confidential. To request financial assistance please contact the Membership Services Manager for your area. Click here for that list.
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Q. How do we sign up for Girl Scouts?
A. You can sign up for Girl Scouts at any of our new member events, which take place in September and October in communities throughout the council. If you are not able to attend a new member event, please complete our online interest indicator form or contact us at 540.777.5100 or 800.542.5905, and we’ll connect you to Girl Scout opportunities and activities in your community.
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Q. Who can become a Girl Scout?
A. Girl Scouts is open to all girls aged 5-17 and all adults aged 18 and up who pay the $10 annual membership dues (financial assistance available), make the Girl Scout Promise, and accept the Girl Scout Law. Back to Top
Q. What are the different levels of Girl Scouting?
A. Girl Scouts has four program age levels designed to meet girls' developmental, educational, emotional, and social needs as they grow:
Daisy Girl Scouts (K)
Brownie Girl Scouts (grades 1-3)
Junior Girl Scouts (grades 4-6)
STUDIO 2B (grades 7-12) Back to Top
Q. How much does Girl Scouting cost?
A. Annual Girl Scout membership dues are $10. In addition, girls will pay modest troop/group dues to cover the costs of activities, field trips, and materials. Financial assistance is available.
Q. What do Girl Scouts do?
A. The Girl Scout program is broad in scope and includes everything from high-adventure camping trips and leadership development workshops for ‘tween and teen girls to day camp, field trips, and one-day cultural, arts, and sporting events for younger girls. All Girl Scouts have an opportunity to develop skills and mark achievements by earning progressive recognitions such as badges, patches, and pins. STUDIO 2B Members have the option to earn charms, which can be worn and displayed in many ways. Back to Top
Q. Are troops the only way to participate in Girl Scouts?
A. No. In addition to (or instead of) joining troops, today's Girl Scouts may register individually or as members of interest groups that explore everything from camping to career options. The Girl Scout program is flexible by design, and it can be delivered through small group activities, council and national events, and even foreign travel opportunities! Back to Top
Q. Where do Girl Scout activities take place?
A. Troop/group meetings and other Girl Scout activities take place in locations throughout the community. We encourage volunteers, girls, and families to discuss meeting and activity locations and to select places that are convenient and comfortable for everyone. The Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley also owns and operates five program facilities for camp programs and for use by troops/groups. Back to Top
Q. Are Girl Scout activities safe?
A. All Girl Scout activities are designed to comply with Girl Scouts of the USA's strict safety standards. The security of girls is our highest priority, and safety is a primary focus of the orientation and training we provide to adult volunteers. Back to Top
Q. What volunteer opportunities are available?
A. Girl Scouting would not be possible without adult volunteers. In fact, 99 percent of the adults involved in Girl Scouting are volunteers. Women and men aged 18 and up are welcome and needed to serve in a wide range of volunteer positions. To learn more, ask about volunteering when you attend a new member event, complete the volunteer section of the online interest indicator form, or call us at 540.777.5100 or 800.542.5905.
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Q. Are only parents and guardians allowed to volunteer?
A. No. Grandparents, uncles and aunts, neighbors, college students, professionals, retirees, and all other adults who care about girls are welcome and needed as Girl Scout volunteers.
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Q. Are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts the same organization?
A. No. While some Girl Scout councils share programming activities with local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America are two separate and distinct organizations, and have been since their inception. Back to Top
Q. Can Girl Scouts have boys and men in their program since Boy Scouts have girls in their program?
A. Girl Scouting values diversity and inclusiveness, therefore do not discriminate in any way. Every volunteer and staff position in Girl Scouting is open to qualified, adult men as well as women, and are certainly welcome to register as adult volunteers in the program. However boys under 18 years of age, and still in high school may not. Because we believe that female role models are especially important to young girls during their developing years, men working directly with girls generally serve as co-leaders; with at least one member of the leadership team an adult female. Back to Top
Girl Scouting exists only to serve girls. Research has shown that the unique needs and interest of girls are best met in a program designed especially for them, delivered in an all girl setting. Boys, also, have unique needs and interest, which are best served by other organizations. Back to Top
Q. My daughter was never a Girl Scout before- when is she too old to join?
A. Girls may participate at any level of Girl Scouting; they do not need to bridge through every level to take part. Daisy's and Brownies are in fact Girl Scouts also. However, they must promise to abide by the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Back to Top
Q. How many badges does my daughter have to earn to stay in Girl Scouting?
A. No Girl Scout is required to earn badges; however, the types of activities available for each age level are pretty good indicators of the types of activities girls should be doing in the Girl Scout program. Badges are just one way a girl can demonstrate the progression of skills and abilities she has attained in Girl Scouting, not to mention they're fun to do! Back to Top
Q. Where do I go, or who do I call if I have a problem?
A. Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council has the Main Service Center in Roanoke 540.777.5100 or 800.542.5905. The council service center offers a variety of services to volunteers and members including a council shop and access to Membership, Program, Adult Development, Public Relations, Development, and Product Sales staff. Our staff list may help you identify who is specially trained to answer your concerns.
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